Poor Yet Rich?

"I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! Revelation 2:9 (NIV)

Jesus had only praise and encouragement for the church at Smyrna. They represent the persecuted church--and we in America have no idea what that means. The Christians there had lost their employment and their belongings because of their unwillingness to compromise their faith. Today in America, we think we are taking a strong stand for Jesus if we have a Bible tucked away in our desk at work or wear a 14 carat gold cross around our neck. The church at Smyrna was facing more than loss of income or belongings--they were facing death. In that day, people were required to worship Ceasar. Those who refused were sentenced to a horrible death. But Jesus assures them that He knows their circumstances. He reminds them that it is the second death (God's final judgment) that is to be feared and that they will not be hurt by it. For all their poverty and hardship, Jesus says they are rich--their treasure is in heaven. Where is yours?

What's Wrong with this Picture?

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)

Jesus knows the works of the Laodiceans--they reflect the true condition of the church. Hot water is soothing--cold water is refreshing--lukewarm water is disgusting and good for nothing. Jesus is about to spit them out! These people are in danger of being rejected by Christ! What's more--they don't even know it!

The Laodicean church described themselves as being rich, wealthy, and in need of nothing. Jesus described them as wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. This is scary--these people don't have a clue. They think their fine building and expensive furnishings are money well spent, when what they really should be buying is treasure in heaven. Their exquisite clothing and fancy jewelry mean nothing to Jesus--He wants to see them dressed in robes of righteousness. They are so blind, they think they have everything when the reality is that they are destitute. What is missing in this church is Jesus--this is the church of the Laodiceans, not the church of Jesus Christ! If Christ isn't in the church, can He be in their hearts?

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and him with me." (Revelation 3:20)

Wake Up!

"I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive--but you are dead." Revelation 3:1 (NLT)

Jesus pronounced the church at Sardis dead, although those in the church and the surrounding neighborhood apparently had not noticed. They had a reputation for being alive--there was movement, there was activity, but they did not meet God's requirements. Nothing they did was reaching the heart of God--not their prayers, not their worship, not their service.

What is the prescription for revival?

"WAKE UP!", Jesus says. "Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead...Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief." (Revelation 3:2-3)

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols." Revelation 2:20 (NIV)

The church at Thyatira looked good on the outside, just as many churches do today. They had love for God and love for each other. Jesus commends them for their deeds, their love, their faith, service and perseverance--and they were growing in these things. But inside the church it was a different story. A woman named Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, was leading God's servants into sexual immorality and idolatry. This woman was evil, yet she was allowed to prophesy and teach Satan's "deep secrets". Why would the leaders of the church tolerate such obvious heresy? How does this apply to us and to the church today?

I think this is a stern warning to pastors and leaders to jealously guard what is being taught in their churches--just because someone calls themself a prophetess doesn't mean that they speak for God. There is a tendency today to be all-inclusive--to tolerate things that God condemns, leading many people astray. There is no compromise with the Word of God--we cannot add to it or take from it. This truth is the very thing that causes the world to categorize Christians as narrow minded and hateful but, in the end, is our loyalty to God or to the world?

 

Looking the Other Way

"But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin...Repent of your sin or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Revelation 2:14, 16 (NLT)

The church in Pergamum was located in "the city where Satan has his throne". That could be almost any city in America today, with a few exceptions. In spite of that, they remained loyal to Christ, refusing to deny Him even when one of their own was martyred. God approves of shining His light in a dark place--it's a hard assignment though, to keep those evil influences out of the church. That was the problem at Pergamum--they allowed people into their church that thought it was okay to believe in Christ and not give up their sinful habits. They, in turn, were causing others in the church to sin.

Don't we see the same thing today? We are so afraid of offending people. Couples living together outside of marriage has almost become acceptable in the church. Dabbling in pornography, drinking, watching impure movies and television programs--all these things cause others to stumble. In his book, Messages on Revival, Vance Havner says, ,"We sin when we tolerate what God condemns and look some other way instead of dealing with it...Sometimes we become so sentimental about offending one person and so sorry for him that we risk the health of a whole church." He also says that we do harm to the offender by tolerating their sin. We lead them to think they are right with God when they really face His judgment.

To paraphrase Jesus' message to Pergamum, and to us--Repent! If you don't take care of this problem, I will!

Repent or Else

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place." Revelation 2:4-5 (NIV)

The church in Ephesus was doing everything right--or so it seemed. Jesus commended them for their deeds, their hard work and perseverance. They didn't tolerate wicked men, they put false apostles to the test, and endured hardships in Christ's name without growing weary. Sounds like a resume most churches today would be proud of. But Jesus, the One who knew them intimately, saw something serious that no one else could see--their love for Him had grown cold. All the good works could not cover or make up for this painful loss. It was so serious that, if they did not repent, Jesus would remove their light and His presence.

Let's make it personal. What was it like when we first loved Christ? Did we love Him extravagantly, not caring what it cost us? Did we serve Him joyfully, considering it a privilege rather than a duty? Did we give out of a heart overflowing with gratitude? Where are we now? Are we bogged down in the details? Just going through the motions? Finding our satisfaction in other things? Jesus has the remedy for those of us who have forsaken our first love, but it's not optional: remember and repent--do the things you once did!

Follow the Leader

"Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it and repent." Revelation 3:3 (NIV)

So who is Jesus talking to when He says "Repent"? He's not just talking to churches that have long since died--he's talking to every church and every Christ follower. Most of us act as if these words were meant for someone else. Specifically, Jesus' letters to the seven churches in Revelation are addressed to the angels or ministers of those churches. Why would He be writing to them, unless He expected the ministers to lead their churches in repentance? The pastors are to set the tone for those who are under their leadership. Revival should start from the pulpit. Jesus addressed those letters to the ones He held responsible for the condition of the churches. It has been said that a church will be no more spiritual than its leader. That does not mean we have no personal responsibility for our condition. But the pastor is the leader--if he is satisfied with business as usual, his church will be too. If he is not broken over sin, it's hard for the people, themselves, to feel that "godly sorrow that leads to repentance".